Water Temperatures for Cattleya

[DebsC]

I'm sure this question has been asked more than once but since I couldn't find it, I'll ask again.

How cold can the water be before causing damage to catts? I do have water plumbed into my GH but so far, no water heater.

I worry about shocking the roots if it's too cold.

[nhman]

I don't know exactly, but I'd keep the water temp over 50 degrees F to avoid any potential problems.

[breeindy]

wow iv'e never even though of the water temp. Guess you'd have to live somewhere cold! Wouldn't get cold enough here to worry i think. We hardly even get frost in winter.

[BikerDoc5968]

Hey Deb, I've heard paphs like warmer water and if too cold it "shocks" their growth but I've not heard anything regarding catts or phals....but maybe so?????? Like how cold are we talking.... here in Michigan our winter water is COLD!

[dounoharm]

water is piped underground and should remain at ground temps....you could run it a while to get all the water out of your pipes then put a thermometer in it to see how cold your water is....i have found that my water feels warm compared to the air temps, so i dont worry about it here in nc....a basic rule of thumb is dont water when the water temp is much colder than the plant...or air temp i think....if you water your catts in a house with air temps at say 65 degrees, your water should be pretty close to that so as not to shock the roots....good question tho, now i will be measuring the temp of my water, lol....

[DebsC]

I've brought my baby paphs in the house so I can give them warmer water. Maybe I should give the youngster cattleya warmer water, too.

I'm guessing the water will be around 50 in the greenhouse but it may be colder. Maybe I should take your advice and run the water for a while then see how cold it is.

This is my first year with the gh plumbed. I previously watered from 55 gallon barrels that I filled with the garden hose.

Those barrels stayed in the gh and by the time I used the water out of them, it was the same temp as the air or close to it.

It's colder this winter so far than most winters here. Didn't get out of the 30's today. High teens last night.

I'll check and see how cold the water is.

Thanks everybody!

[Desinoz]

I never let my feed water drop below 16 degrees Cand I maintain this temperature by using an aquarium heater in my feed water tank
Watering your catts and cynbids with water that is too cold can cause leaf drop amongst other things

[DebsC]

Originally Posted by Desinoz

I never let my feed water drop below 16 degrees Cand I maintain this temperature by using an aquarium heater in my feed water tank
Watering your catts and cynbids with water that is too cold can cause leaf drop amongst other things

That's a good idea Desinoz, I never even thought of an aquarium heater. Thanks!

[nhman]

Excellent idea!

[Ray]

My RO tank has an aquarium heater.... and it's set for 70°F